Reversible brake-shoe head



Patented Dec. 192 8.

UNl-TED STATES- "PATENT oFrlcE.

' WILLIAM c. smmman, or BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

' Q REVERSIBLE IaniAxE-snon nm.

Application filled October 12, 1927. Serial No. 225,073. I

, This invention relates to improvements in or relating to railway carconstruction and has, particular reference to brake heads adapted to besecured to-the ends ofv brake beams. The invention aims to provide areversible brake shoe head which is so constructed that it can beapplied to either end of abrake beam so as to avoid the necessity ofusing right and left hand brake shoe heads. The invention will beapparent from the following specification when read in connection withtheaccompanying drawings and will be defined with particularity in thebrake beam includestheusual compression. member 10, tension member 12and centralfulcrum or strut 14. At the ends the compression and tensionmembers are secured to brake shoe heads 16 which are of identicalconstruction so that one design of head can be used for either end ofthe brake beam thus avoiding the necessity of providing ri hts andlefts.Inasmuch as the two brakehe s16 are identical, a detailed description ofone will suflice for both.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the compression member10 is in the form of a channel or U-shaped beam and the tension memberis in the form of a rod or bar of round cross-section.

My improved reversible brake head includes a heel portion 18 having acentral web 20 and oppositely extending upper flanges 22 and lowerflanges 26 which are adapted to engage the horizontal flanges 24 and 25of the compression member. The heel of the brake head also includes rearflanges 28 and 30 which engage the vertical web of the compressionmember 10 and flange-like portions 32 and 34 which engage the edges" ofthe flanges 24 and 25 of he compression member.

65. The heel of the brake head also'includes a brake beam. The inwardlyinto the space between the flanges 24 and 25 of the com ression member10. This design of the. brafi shaped pockets 38-38 on each side of theweb 20. These pockets it will'be apparent body portion 36 which isadapted to extend e head provides channels or-U- are of a contour whichmatches the crosssectional contour of the channel or U-shapedcompression member. Inasmuch as the brake head'is formed symmetricallyon each slde of its center web 20, it is apparent that such a brake headcan-be applied interchangeably to either the right-hand or lefthand endof compression member of the projecting member 36 of the brake head 1sof hollow or skeleton form and is apertured. as indicated at 4.0 and '42to permit, the passage therethrough of the tension member 12. Bearingfaces 44--44 are provided which are substantially perpendicular to theaxis of the apertures 40 and 42. These bearing faces are provided, ofcourse, to form flat seats for the nuts 46 threaded on the ends of thetension member. The brake heads are provided with. suitable baseportions 48 shaped to fit standard or conventional forms of brake shoe.From the' foregoing, it is clear, that the brake head illustrated anddescribed can be interchangeably used on brake beams facing in differentdirections, said head being adapted for use on either the right orlefthand end of either a live brake beam or dead brake beam.

While I have described quite specifically the embodiment of theinvention illustrated, it is to be understood that modifications may bemade without-departing from the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

What I.claim is 1. In combination with a brake beam having compressionmember, tension member and strut," a reversible brake shoe head adaptedto be secured to said compression and tension members at either end ofthe beam, said head having seats on theopposite sides of the center lineto receive the end of the compression member and also having oppositelyinclined tension member of the brake beam.

ing a channel sha d com ression lrmmberv 2. In combination with a brakebeam haviapertured portions for engagement with the and arod-liketenslon mem er, abrake shoe head having respective'duplicateseat portions symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the centerline thereof for coaction respectively with said compression and ten;

- sion members.

3. In combination with'a brake beam having a com ression member and atension I by the provision of an inclined seat, the bearing surface ofwhich is substantially or a proximately perpendicular or normal to t emember, a rake shoe head haying respective duplicate seat portionssymmetrically ar ranged on opposite sidesoi the center line thereof forcoaction respectively with said compression and tension members.

I 4. A brake shoe head adapted tobe interchangeably secured to eitherend oi a brake beam, said head havin" symmetrically arranged on eachside oft e center line thereof asocketed portion for enga' ment with thecompression 'member "of the rakebeam and an apertured portion forengagement with the tension member-of the brake beam.

5. A brake shoe head ada ted to be interchangeably secured to eit or endof the for 'coeoperation with a compression member tion for coactionwith the tension member ofthe brake beam. c

6. The brake head of claim 5. characterized axis of the angularlydisposed opening in said apertured portion.

i 7. In combination with a brake beam have ing' a compression member anda tension member, a brake sho'e head ha'vingrespective seat portions;arranged on opposite sides of the center line thereof for coaotionrespectively with said compression and tension member and means securedto the tension member arranged .to hold the head in engagement with saidcompression member.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name. v

' WILLIAM CaSLEEMANf i I

